Zeist residents invited to swap tiles for greenery in national climate initiative
Zeist is encouraging residents to replace garden tiles with plants, offering free tile collection to combat urban heat and improve biodiversity. This spring’s campaign aims to make neighborhoods cooler, healthier, and more wildlife-friendly—join by April 1 to participate.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | National Tile-Ripping Championship |
| Municipality | Zeist (Utrecht) |
| Goal | Replace tiles with grass, flowers, shrubs, or trees |
| Benefits | Cooler gardens, better rainwater drainage, supports wildlife |
| Free Service | Tile Taxi collects ripped-up tiles from homes |
| Registration | www.zeist.nl/klimaatklaar |
| Next Collection Date | April 1, 2026 |
| 2025 Results | Over 100,000 tiles removed by residents and municipality combined |
The municipality of Zeist plays a key role in local climate adaptation initiatives, such as promoting green spaces to reduce urban heat and improve water management. By organizing campaigns like the Tile-Ripping Championship, it encourages community participation in sustainability efforts.
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Tiles out, green in: join the National Tile-Ripping Championship
This spring, the municipality of Zeist is once again participating in the National Tile-Ripping Championship, alongside many other municipalities. During this campaign, residents replace tiles with grass, flowers, shrubs, and trees. This makes gardens greener, more pleasant, and cooler. It’s also beneficial for insects, hedgehogs, and birds. Will you join in? Then the municipality will collect the ripped-up tiles from your home free of charge.
Wouter Catsburg, alderman for sustainability, says: “More green space is simply more pleasant to look at. We’re joining in ourselves: we’re critically examining where we can replace paving stones with greenery. Green spaces ensure cooler gardens and streets during hot summers. In 2025, residents and the municipality together ripped out more than 100,000 tiles!”
More and more gardens are becoming paved over
While a tiled garden may seem convenient, green spaces offer many advantages. Trees, plants, and grass help rainwater drain better during heavy downpours—something that’s becoming increasingly common. Green spaces also lower temperatures during hot summers. Research by Wageningen University shows that one tree provides as much cooling as ten air conditioners. A green environment is healthier and makes people happier. Paved neighborhoods are harmful to birds, bees, and butterflies. Even animals like blackbirds and hedgehogs struggle in areas with little greenery.
Free Tile Taxi collects your tiles
Tiles are heavy and not always easy to transport. That’s why the municipality’s Tile Taxi collects the ripped-up tiles from your home free of charge. You can register for the Tile Taxi at www.zeist.nl/klimaatklaar. The next time the Tile Taxi will be running is Wednesday, April 1.